Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-04-01
THE SONS OF VETERANS.



Annual Banquet of Camp GEN. william
WelIs-A Pleasant Anniversary.
Camp Gen. William Wells, Sons of Vet.
c'ans, observed the first anniversary of
their organization last evening with ap.
prOpriate exercises followed by a banquet
a bout 30 members of Stannard Post ac-
cepted the Invitation to be present Gen
/ William Wells, after whom the canp IA
named, was undvoldably absent. AMONG
those in attendance were Division Adiu-
tant f. II. Allen OF Bratteboro, State In
Spector +. {. Abbott OF st. JOhnSbury
SECOND Lieutenant Booth of Essex June.
ton. Alter the regular routine of business
at Grand Army hall the camp ad jOurned
t. II. y. Coons banquet rooms where
the annual banquet was held. The hall
presented fine appearance, the tables
and surroundings being specially decor
ated for the occasion. On the south wall
hung the monogram of the order in large
letters of evergreen, fanked by the ma
tlpnal colors, the gas jets had banners
crossed upon them and the two tables
which extended nearly the entire length
Of the hall, were also decorated with
fine centre pieces and small flags
Covers were la for nearly 100
The bill of fare was elaborate and was
served in most satisfactory manner by
Mr.. Coon and his efficient corps OF assist
ants. Ljeut-Col. J. f. Fox of the di
vision of Vermont, who was the first Gao
tam of the camp. raped the tables to or
der and presided at the post prandai eX-
ercises in an admirable manner. He vel
coined the guests and took occasion to re-
| view the history OF the camp which was
organized March 30 1856, with 10 charter
mem berS. He announced that the camp
now had 30 members and 500 in the treas
uly, and was flourishing in every respect.
He predicted that by the next anniversary
ha Iii, Il
Is at present. There We're 800 sons of vet
Grams in the State and about 5000 in the
| United States.
Commander +. II. Trick of Stannard
Post was then introduced. He congratu
lated the camp on its excellent standing
and thanked them in behalf of Stannard
Post for the entertainment. He assured
the sons of veterans that the Grand
Army post would stand by them to the
last and he hoped they would never have
occasion to disband. He wanted them to
| be better men than their fathers were
He referred TO the growing feeling of
brotherly love between the blue and the
| gray and he wanted the boys to remem-
| Der that there is no animOsity between the
blue and the gray. He concluded with
reading Il poem emphasizing the fact OF
| this reconciliation.
Hon. Henry Ballard congratulated the
camp on the excellent show ing made at the
end of one years growth. He could not
help thinking that the order for the Sons
of Veterans to go TO the front on the
march TO the hall was prophetic of the
place that they must soon take in the
country The veterans We're falling away
as fast as they did in 1S6l-64. He then re
ferred to the excellence of the principles
of the organization, he was glad that the
commandment chief did bid the sons of
veterans God speed The veterans and
pensioners deserved much. He expressed
the opinion that had President Cleveland
signed the dependent pension bill he
would not only have done honor to him
self but justice to the veterans. He ex
horted the sons of veterans not to be re-
miss IN their camp duties pointing out the
| influence which they were sure to exert
in the great future of this country.
Rev. f. p Gould said that he was moth
ing more than Il boy when he entered the
| service and he gave an Interesting nara.
tive of his experience in the field He SAID
that most nt the troops at the outbreak
were boys in experience and he thought
| it remarkable that the battles were fought
out with such skill He then referred 10
the heroism displayed. That was not
war simply showed what kind of stuff the
| Americans are made of. There are still
| opporl unltleS lying on every side in other
lines and we should cultivate those higher
qualities that belong to our manhood
| State Inspector Abbott thought the sous
I
ancestry. He was pleased with the cou-
| dltlOn of the order, but he would urge
| better attendance on she part of members
| He was glad TO state that most OF the
camps Ill Vermont were prosperous.
State Adjutant Alien spoke OF the pro
gress of the camp at Brattleboro. which
was mustered in 1883 with ID members.
| was now one Of the strongest in the State
The last camp, that ut Springfield was
| mustered i'll three weeks ago. The vet
| Grams gave them the free use OF their hall
aud other assistance and he had heard
| that the camp was making excellent pro
gress
Speeches were also made by Adjutant
William Schroeder of Stannard Post, j. b.
| Scully, NJ, Cunningham, g. b. Rand, c. h.
| Beach, NJ. ID. l.. Thompson and others.
Captain Il. +. Wright in behalf OF the
camp thanked those present for their in
terest and their good wishes. He eX-
| pressed the hope that a Ladies Aid So
ciety would be organized before the next
anniversary He stated that the camp now
| had the lieutenant colonel, in the person
of Mr.. Fox and the probability was that
he would be the next colonel
Commander Trick said that the post
wanted woman's relief corps formed
| here, but none of the ladies would take the
| lead. The exercises were IN erspersed with
the singing of national airs aud the pro
| gramme closed with benedictien by Rev. |
Il. p. Gould and three cheers tor Stannard
Post and Lieut.. Col. Fox